South Australian drivers can expect to see 15 more mobile phone detection cameras hitting the roads soon, thanks to a $46.8 million budget boost the state government is pouring into road safety or, depending on your perspective, into revenue collection.
Police Commissioner Grant Stevens confirmed the announcement, saying the funding would bring “much needed relief to frontline officers” and help police respond to “challenging circumstances.” The new camera locations haven’t been selected yet, but that’s now a “priority” task following the budget’s approval.
Cameras Coming Soon
The Commissioner also hinted that the new devices may not look like the current crop of gantry-mounted cameras. “Technology is changing all the time,” he said. “We’ll be exploring different technology opportunities…”
In other words, future cameras could be smaller, harder to spot, and possibly more widespread and not unlike how speed cameras quietly evolved from bulky roadside trailers to slim poles with high-powered lenses.
A Proven (and Profitable) System
If you’re wondering whether these cameras actually work, the answer is: yes, particularly if the metric is revenue. In just the first six months after their introduction, more than 46,400 drivers were fined, racking up over $30 million in penalties and levies.
The original five cameras were set up at:
- Southern Expressway, Darlington
- South Rd, Torrensville
- North-South Motorway, Regency Park
- Port Rd, Hindmarsh
- Port Wakefield Rd, Gepps Cross
According to Commissioner Stevens, there’s already “strong evidence” that the cameras are making an impact. What kind of impact? Behavioural change or just deeper pockets, depends on your outlook.
What’s Really Driving This?
Supporters will argue this is a step forward in road safety. Others might question whether the rapid rollout is more about public safety or balancing the budget. Either way, 15 more cameras are on the way, and they’re coming fast.
And while it’s hard to argue against the risks of distracted driving, looking at your phone while behind the wheel is genuinely dangerous and the growing reliance on mobile phone detection fines does raise an eyebrow. Especially when you consider that modern cars are now fitted with giant touchscreen displays that demand just as much attention, if not more. Digging through menus to adjust climate control or change a song is perfectly legal. Tapping your phone for directions or cancelling a call? That’s a fine.
Phones, it seems, are simply easier to detect and justify penalising.
So if you want to avoid handing over a few hundred dollars for a momentary lapse, spend $10 on a phone mount. It’s the only legal way to keep your phone in view, and it might just save you from becoming another line in next quarter’s fine revenue report.
Because like it or not, the cameras are watching and they’re about to become a lot harder to avoid.
